Lancashire reshuffles leadership as CEOs Hayley Johnston and John Spence depart
Bermuda-based specialty re/insurer Lancashire Insurance Company and its Lloyd’s syndicate segment Lancashire Syndicates have made a series of management changes and added senior underwriters to their belts as CEOs step out.
Hayley Johnston, CEO of Lancashire Insurance Company, will be retiring from her role, and John Spence will be retiring from his role as CEO of Lancashire Syndicates, both during the first quarter of 2026.
Jennifer Wilson (pictured left), currently group financial planning and analysis director, will succeed Johnston in Bermuda.
Wilson joined Lancashire in 2010 as a project accountant, progressing from financial planning and analysis manager, to head of financial planning and analysis and Lancashire Insurance Company chief financial officer in 2014. In May 2024, she was appointed group financial planning and analysis director, a role she will retain.
Spence will be succeeded by Rachel Sabbarton (pictured right), who is currently chief underwriting officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK).
Sabbarton joined Lancashire as group head of marine, energy and specialty insurance. She was promoted to chief underwriting officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) in April 2025. Alongside her new role, Sabbarton will also retain oversight of marine, energy, and specialty insurance classes.
As part of the restructuring, Matthew Thomas will succeed Sabbarton as chief underwriting officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK), while also remaining active underwriter and CUO of the Lancashire syndicates.
Colette Murphy steps in as deputy CUO for Lancashire Insurance Company (UK). Murphy will also take on the role of group head of property direct and facultative (D&F), replacing Matthew Narbett following his recent promotion to deputy group chief underwriting officer.
Tom Sutton has been appointed deputy active underwriter for Syndicate 2010, and David Chalk has been appointed deputy active underwriter for Syndicate 3010. Sutton and Chalk will also continue in their current roles in the treaty and construction teams, respectively.
Jon Barnes will take on Johnston’s responsibilities as reinsurance manager supplementing his current role as group underwriting director.
Group chief executive officer Alex Maloney commented: “John and Hayley have had long and distinguished careers at Lancashire and I would like to thank them for their support, wise counsel and friendship. They have both been fantastic ambassadors for Lancashire in their respective markets and have played important roles as senior leaders as the Group has grown over the past few years.
“I am particularly pleased that, once again, we have been able to promote people from within Lancashire to succeed them in these two important management positions. Along with the other appointments we are announcing, it shows the depth of expertise and talent that we have across the Lancashire Group.”
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